Vitamin D for Depression, Dementia, and Diabetes: Vitamin D is important for so many bodily functions. Vitamin D has the potential to improve depression, dementia and diabetes. Vitamin D receptors appear in a wide variety of brain tissue early during fetal development. When activated vitamin D receptors increase nerve growth in the brain. Researchers believe that optimal vitamin D levels may enhance brain biochemistry and repair damaged neurons. Vitamin D may also exert some of its beneficial effects on your brain through its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. According to one recent study, seniors who have low vitamin D levels may double their risk of dementia and Alzheimers disease, compared to those with vitamin D levels in the normal range: Other recent research has found links between depression and dementia as well as between vitamin D deficiency and depression. Vitamin D deficiency has long been associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and in 2007, researchers noted that vitamin D deficiency is associated with depression and fibromyalgia. Vitamin D supplementation has been found to reduce both depression and diabetic pain. Vitamin D deficiencies may also play a role in type 2 diabetes. One Indian study found that vitamin D and calcium supplementation, in combination with exercise can aid pre-diabetic individuals by preventing the progression into full blown diabetes. Exercise is also one of the most effective ways to improve your insulin sensitivity. Optimizing Your Vitamin D Level: When it comes to vitamin D, you want to be in the optimal range, not the normal one. Based on the evaluation of healthy populations, the optimal range for general health appears to be somewhere between 50 and 70 ng/ml. Sensible sun exposure is one of the best ways to optimize vitamin D levels. If you opt to take oral vitamin D supplements, keep in mind that you should also take vitamin K2. The biological role of vitamin K2 is to help move calcium into the proper areas in your body, such as your bones and teeth. Vitamin K2 also helps remove calcium from areas where it shouldnt be, such as in your arteries and soft tissues.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 10:36:31 +0000
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